Manchester City legend: Give Raheem Sterling a break, he has time on his side

City wing legend Barnes has heard the murmurs and mutterings at The Etihad from fans who haven’t taken the former Liverpool star to their hearts after his summer move from Anfield.

But Barnes, 58, believes the supporters must give Sterling more time and patience – because, in his eyes, he will become a football great in the sky blue of City.

Sterling, 20, has raised eyebrows with a mixed bag of performances in his first four months under boss Manuel Pellegrini but Barnes is happy that the England star is working his socks off with extra practice drills on shooting and passing.

Barnes plied his trade in a similar role to Sterling in his two successful stints with City and knows only too well what’s expected in that position.

He said: “Raheem just needs to be more decisive in the top third where it matters if he wants to be a very good player. He needs to be more consistent.

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“He has got to get the final product right, though. The final ball. But the lad’s only 20 and he has time on his side”

Peter Barnes

“I feel he’s 90 per cent of what he can be so there’s still more to come from him. Raheem has great ability and he will be the finished article in the next 12 or 18 months.

“He has got to get the final product right, though. The final ball. But the lad’s only 20 and he has time on his side.

“I was always taught that you have to believe in constructive criticism and it’s no good having all the skill in the world with no end product.

“Raheem just needs to make his mind up quicker about what he does in that top third of the pitch.

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“I like the lad. He’s a great buy for the club and you can’t question his ability. For him, it’s just about knowing when to cross the ball and knowing when to shoot. I know he’s working hard on that in extra training sessions.

“So, yes, give Raheem more time before any final verdict is reached. He will come good. He was the big star at Liverpool and has come to City where there are four or five other world-class match-winners.

“He’s still finding his feet but the final ball is just not good enough at the moment.

“I’m confident Raheem he will find that extra ten per cent and become the player we know he can be.

“He’s got a great career in front of him both at City and for his country.”